Mortal Kombat X stands out as a fighting game that emphasizes brutal one-on-one combat on PC, blending high-stakes matches with a roster of characters drawn from a long-running series.
Gameplay
In Mortal Kombat X, fights unfold in a 2D plane where competitors use a mix of basic attacks, special moves, and combos to deplete the opponent's health bar. An energy meter splits into three parts, allowing for powered-up special attacks with one section, combo interruptions with two, or devastating X-Ray moves that require all three. A separate stamina meter, divided into two segments, depletes during actions like sprinting, evading backward, or certain environmental interactions, adding a layer of resource management to each encounter.
Characters come with three distinct variations, each altering their move set and approach. For instance, Scorpion's Ninjutsu variation equips him with dual swords for close-range pressure, while Hellfire focuses on fire-based abilities, and Inferno lets him call in demonic helpers. Environmental elements play a role too, as fighters can grab objects in the arena for improvised attacks or to shift positioning. The game includes signature finishing options like Fatalities, which deliver graphic end-of-match kills, and Brutalities that activate under specific conditions as the final strike.
Game Modes
Story mode delivers a narrative-driven experience through a series of fights interspersed with cutscenes, following the game's plot across multiple chapters. Living Towers provide rotating challenges that change over time, offering varied objectives and modifiers to keep single-player content fresh.
Online options include ranked and casual one-on-one matches, along with King of the Hill, where spectators rate performances, and Survivor, a endurance-based format. Test Your Luck introduces random elements like altered gravity or power-ups to standard fights. The Krypt mode shifts to a first-person perspective for exploring and unlocking cosmetics, concept art, and other extras using in-game currency.
Factions and Mechanics
Faction Wars ties into the multiplayer side, letting players join one of five groups: Black Dragon, Brotherhood of Shadow, Lin Kuei, Special Forces, or White Lotus. Contributions through matches earn points for the chosen faction in a ongoing, cross-platform rivalry, with rewards like unique Faction Kills unlocked based on weekly outcomes.
Mechanics such as Quitalities punish early quits in online play by instantly defeating the leaver, while stage-specific Brutalities, added in later updates, allow for arena-based finishers in select locations. The 2016 Mortal Kombat XL update brought balance tweaks, new characters via packs, and improved netcode for smoother online sessions on PC.
Is It Worth Playing?
With Metacritic scores of 83/100 on PlayStation 4 and 76/100 on PC, Mortal Kombat X earned praise for its refined controls, character depth, and engaging story mode, though some reviews noted issues with DLC practices and initial PC technical problems. The game won Best Fighting Game at The Game Awards 2015, highlighting its strengths in the genre.
If you enjoy competitive fighting games with strategic variety and a focus on gory spectacles, Mortal Kombat X holds up well, especially after the XL enhancements that addressed netcode and added content. For those seeking active communities or the latest entries, newer titles in the series might offer more ongoing support, but this one remains a solid choice for its core loop and roster. Over 12 million copies sold by 2019 indicate lasting appeal among fans.
